The waves crashing, the smell of the salt air and all of your family and friends gathered to hear you say "I do." What could be more romantic than a beach wedding? Ceremonies by the ocean are a great idea, whether you've grown up near the shore you're whole life or are planning to elope to a special location. Here, we've gathered some basic information you'll need when planning your wedding on the beach.

Guest List
You should decide early on that you want to have a beach wedding, as the ceremony location will set the mood for the rest of the evening. Are you eloping, inviting a small group, or having a traditional larger ceremony on the beach? The size of your guest list will help you determine a lot from the start, for instance, if the party is small enough, you may be able to simply use a spot on a public beach. For larger parties, however, you generally need to have a permit or work with a beach resort or hotel to plan the ceremony.

Formality
While you can plan to make your ceremony as formal or informal as you want, in general, beach weddings have a more casual feel. Groomsmen might consider wearing khaki linen suits, or navy blazers in lieu of tuxes, while the bride can wear anything from a traditional ball gown, to a simple gossamer sheath dress that will blow in the breeze. Keep in mind, the more formal you make your ceremony, the more intricate the planning and the more expensive it might become.

Hour
If you're a very early riser, holding a sunrise ceremony on the beach could make for a private, romantic beginning. For most people however, some time in the late afternoon or closer to sunset works better. Not only does the sunset provide a beautiful backdrop, it means you avoid the heat of the day and won't be squinting in all of your photos. Just make sure you plan the ceremony early enough so that there's still enough sunlight for photos by the time.

Tide
You can check the tide for the day of your wedding far in advance, and should plan accordingly. In general, having a wedding at low tide, or as the tide is going out means you'll have a quieter ceremony and won't have to worry about an advancing water line getting in the way.

Weather
Since you can't control the weather, the best you can do is plan for the worst. Having a solid rain plan that you and your fiance are happy with is essential for any type of outdoor ceremony. On the beach, this can be more difficult since some areas may not allow you to set up a tent. This is why holding the wedding at a beach resort or hotel can be a good idea. The resort will likely have an indoor area, or allow you to tent an outdoor area in case of rain. Check with the venue before booking to make sure they have a rain plan you're happy with. From the start, you should also rule out certain times of the year. For instance, if you're planning a Florida beach wedding, skip August or September since those months often have the highest number of hurricanes and tropical storms.

Chairs
Unless everyone who's coming to your wedding is under the age of 35, some of your guests are probably going to want to take a seat during the ceremony. If the ceremony is short enough, you don't necessarily need to have chairs for everyone, but it's a good idea to make sure the VIP's (the mothers, fathers and any grandparents) are comfortable. Keep the chair decorations to a minimum, since the beach already provides the perfect backdrop. Add a few thin ribbons to the backs of the chairs in the last row, or a small starfish or flower arrangement to each chair that borders the aisle.

Music
With the natural sounds of gulls and waves crashing, you may not need much additional music. Consider hiring someone to play acoustic guitar or a string quartet. Keep in mind though, depending on the breeze and the sound of the waves, the music may not carry that well to the last row of the audience.

Facilities
For most couples, holding the wedding at a resort or hotel means all of the facilities are taken care of. Not only will your guests have a place to freshen up between the ceremony and reception, but they'll also have the option of staying the night near the beach. If you're only holding the ceremony at the beach, consider renting temporary facilities -- a nice alternative to a public restroom. If there are restaurants near the beach, you could also consider holding the ceremony, followed by an intimate reception at a nearby restaurant.

Pick your vendors for your beach wedding and get more ideas and inspiration in our photo galleries.